America, the "eh, nothing special"

[myotch]

FWIW...

...I think this current and recent trend of American unexceptionalism is a political response to a time and place where seeming unpatriotic meant certain political death. The trend is a manufactured trend.

It comes from a lot of places...Globalization is part of it, I guess. A response to the perceived arrogance of past Presidential administrations and their foreign policies is another...Again, I'm guessing.

I started noticing it a couple of months ago. Some way the news was covering Obama,where he actually embraced American Exceptionalism. But there was something in the story that seemed calculated. This hasn't been an Obama theme, nor a Democrat theme (I remember one of Clinton's advisors declaring himself a "world citizen".)

Recently in some threads, American exceptionalism has been decried. I thought it was just progressives being progressives. Then one progressive said something in praise of America (bean, regarding education), and he was slammed pretty hard and he immediately apologized. I thought that was weird, but didn't say anything.

Now with an HBO show about a newsroom, and both the (I assume) main character and the actor who plays him are bashing American exceptionalism. So, whammo - I now see the trend. Probably late to the game.

Now, I'm American, I rather like my country and my citizenship. I served her in the military - I know, nothing special about that in and of itself. I like American liberty, I like American capitalism. Warts and all. So this trend kind of disturbs me....eh, more like irritates me, like a mosquito bite, or walking into a spiderweb.

So, I'm genuinely curious. What's supposed to be the protocol, now?

Do we cheer on America's athletes at the Olympics? Do we wave a flag on the 4th of July and watch the fireworks? Is a red-white-n-blue shirt passé?

'Cuz I'm still doing it. I just want to be prepared for the dirty looks.

[leaving]

America seems to think they are better than the rest of the world...big time. The rest of the world can't stand the pride and arrogance of how everything is bigger and better in America. And then, some of us move here and realize you were all lying about it being bigger and better.

[Darrell]

Quote:And then, some of us move here and realize you were all lying about it being bigger and better.

You were ALL lying? Every single one of us has told this lie?

That's quite a claim.

[Darrell]

Quote:Do we cheer on America's athletes at the Olympics? Do we wave a flag on the 4th of July and watch the fireworks?

I will.

[Tiarali]

There is definitely a perception outside of America that Americans are up themselves. I know enough Americans here to know that it's not true of every individual, but that is the overwhelming image of Americans that comes out of America.

I was in the audience as an orchestra played at my university once, a long time ago, and the conductor introduced the next piece as being the American National Anthem. He addressed the audience, and said, "Well, you may wonder why we're about to play the American National Anthem, and the reason is this; if you've ever seen the film Independence Day, you'll know that America has saved the day once again!"

Everybody laughed.

Did you read the animorphs books as a kid? I did. And BOY there was a huge thing in there about how America is the greatest nation on earth, and how the American President is the most powerful man on earth.

If you don't live in America, and you get American television shows, movies, and books, you see a lot of it. And when you're not an American, and you don't think America is the greatest nation on earth, it just seems fake and pathetic.

Sorry, but it does.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being patriotic. Definitely nothing wrong with taking pride in your country, wearing its colours, cheering for its sporting teams and celebrating its national holidays. But if you're going to try and pretend that your love of your country somehow means that other nations have little worth, then you're going to look like an idiot.

And as it becomes easier for people from different nations to make friends online (G'day!) and communicate, it becomes more important to address these issues. It is a lot easier to pretend that you're the only nation worth bothering with when you have little contact with other nations. When friendships and partnerships form across national barriers, however, a little tact comes into play.

[pastor's wife]

It seems to me that MOST first-world countries seem to think they're superior to others and tout how their own nation's culture, cuisine, history, architecture, manners, life-style, etc. is better than anyone else's. (And third-world countries usually find something to claim that they're superior than others too! It's part of our makeup as humans, not specific to Americans alone.)

America has some strikes against it. America literally IS bigger in land-size and population than most, and America also has a huge output of music and movies. These go out to all the world, setting up America to be mocked because its entertainment is so ubiquitous, but also, human nature being what it is, because of envy which turns to hatred.

One of the things that bugs me the most is how nearly everyone despises the use of American military might, but whenever something horrific is going on in the world, people at the same time turn to America and say, "Why don't you DO SOMETHING about [whatever evil thing is being perpetrated and needs to be stopped]?" There simply is no way for America to win, imo. If they don't do something, they're hated. If they do get involved, they're hated. There seems simply no way for America to make everybody happy.

People rightly dislike arrogance, and most certainly many tourists and world travelers (the rich among us) are extremely ill-mannered and condescending, earning the sad epithet of "ugly American." But beyond that, because America simply is what she is, people resent that its power, its influence, and its wealth. None of those things in itself are things to be ashamed of or apologized for, no matter how much other nations envy it. Yes, we are a powerful nation; may God give us wisdom to use that power wisely. Yes, we are very influential, certainly politically but especially in entertainment. How I wish that our output was more morally uplifting. And certainly we have wealth which God willing we will continue to use to fund charities, to build wells in Africa, to send food to needy people around the world.

I will be going to fireworks shows, wearing red, white, and blue, and waving my flag this summer as always. God mend her many flaws, but always may God bless America. I am so thankful to live here.

[Darrell]

Quote:One of the things that bugs me the most is how nearly everyone despises the use of American military might, but whenever something horrific is going on in the world, people at the same time turn to America and say, "Why don't you DO SOMETHING about [whatever evil thing is being perpetrated and needs to be stopped]?" There simply is no way for America to win, imo. If they don't do something, they're hated. If they do get involved, they're hated. There seems simply no way for America to make everybody happy.

This is sadly accurate.

[EmilyKing]

Pastor's Wife put it well.

[bean]

I think we have lots of good will around the world when we work with the other nations.
When we go off on our own and it looks like America pounding the $#*& out of other countries in defense of "US Interests" we wear out our welcome pretty fast....but totally agree with PW and that we are the first one everyone looks to for help.

Yes there are some who are arrogant when travelling. But it's not all and it is my belief that thinking people elsewhere get this. Lots of people want to come here to live. Many Europeans would love to visit at the very least.

Yes, we're not perfect but God Bless America..and my prayer is that we as a nation can uphold the principles of democracy, equality, and justice that made us a great land over the years...

[Darrell]

Quote:Lots of people want to come here to live.

Funny how that works.